Missile demonstrator for counter UAV applications
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Authors
Rydalch, Fletcher D.
Subjects
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
rocket
counter-swarm
rocket
counter-swarm
Advisors
Brophy, Christopher M.
Date of Issue
2016-06
Date
June 2016
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
An autonomously guided rocket-powered delivery vehicle has been under development at the Naval
Postgraduate School. Designed to eventually counter UAV swarm attacks, the vehicle made advances
toward reaching a target in the sky. These advances reduced the time needed to launch, modify, and
relaunch the rocket, while adding capabilities such as data transfer along the vehicle axis and the rapid
download of flight data. Improving the vehicle included reconfiguring the guidance, navigation, and
control (GNC) strategy. Advancements included the design, implementation, and evaluation of electronic
servo control, actuating fins, and the mechanical coupling design. The forward compartment in the
vehicle’s nose cone was structurally modified for the GNC equipment and to support electronics under
high-g launch conditions. Modifications included innovative designs for managing heat transfer
requirements. Using off-the-shelf subsystem components kept the advancements fiscally mindful.
After implementing the design features, two final test launches were performed: one demonstrated a
control spin rate of 8.5 rad/sec; the other showed the vehicle’s ability to execute pitch maneuvers on a
single axis. The test results can be used to improve the GNC software and servo control parameters.
Continued development will allow the system to become a viable option for countering UAV swarms.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.